Stitch-down-lasting machine.



A. BPPLER. STITCH DOWN LASTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATIOH mm) xov.2e,1ao9.

111 1 3,9 36, Patented 0013.13, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I/WTNZSSES A. .BPPLER. STITCH DOWN LASTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV.29,1909.

1,113,936. Patented Oct. 13, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. EPPLER. STITCH DOWN LASTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATI'ON 3mm nov.2e,19o9.

1, 1 1 3,936. Patented Oct. 13, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

|/l//77\/ESSESI UNITED STATES .PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW EPPLER, 0F LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS; [ID UNITED SHOEIMACHIN- ERY COMPANY, OF PATERSON, NEW JERS Y, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

i srrrcn-nowiv-Lnsrme MACHINE,

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, ANDREW EPPLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Stitch-Down-Lasting Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, 1s a specificatlon, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in in conforming the upper to the last and uniting the upper flange to the edge portion of the sole.

A very important feature of this inven-' tion comprises a tool shaped and arranged for operation to press the upper into the angle between the side of the last and theprojecting edge portion of the sole and to form the upper againstthe last and the sole. This feature of the invention is herein shown as pro ect ng embodied in mechanism which comprises a work table or support for engaging" the lower face of the projecting edge portion of the sole and between which and the-tool the sole and upper flange are clamped. Mechanism is provided for advancing the tool relatively to and preferably against the side of the last while the work is so clamped.

This advance movement thrusts'or tucks the upper laterally into said angle whereby the upper extending upwardly over the last is pulled down and stretched to some extent and the upper is conformed to the side face of the last and may be pressed firmly against the last by the end face of the tool.

An important feature of this invention embodied in this mechanism as preferably arranged is found in the fact that the forming or shaping tool is caused to slide in wardly over the flange ofthe upper-"while the flange and the sole are clamped together. This rubs down the flange, in addition to compressing it, and it molds the upper stock at the inner portion of the crease in a man ner which causes the upper to retain its form until it is permanently fastened.

for use Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed November 29, 1909.

Patented Oct. 13, 1914. SerialNo. 530,475.

ln accordance with a further feature of this invention found in the preferred en1- bod ment thereof the work table, which may be lightly upheld to permit the work to be fed is strongly pressed upwardly before the too advances so that the upper flange and sole projection are firmly clamped and held under compression during the movement of the shaping tool over the flange. This insures that the stock re uired for tucking into the angle between tie sole and last to form the crease shall be drawn from the portion of theupper. which extends up over the last. The upperfiange is preferably connected to the sole while it is clamped against the sole projection or before the upper has opportunity to draw back. This connectionis effected in the use of the illustrated embodiment of the invention by cementwhic'h' is appliedlto one or both of the contacting surfaces of the upper and sole before the shoe is presented to the machine.

In the operation of the machine these cement coated surfaces are first pressed yieldingly together, then firmly clamped and then rubbed over by the advancing tool so that they are caused firmly to adhere. The feed s effected and its rate determinedby theoperator so thatdifi erent parts of the shoe ma be subjected to repeated operations. Preferably the upper will be damp or in suitable temper when presented to' the machine for lnthat condition it is more effectively tightened to the last and more permanently formed or molded in the angle or crease i than could be-done with a dry' upper.

These features of the invention and others which may includej certam more important 1 details of construction and combinations of parts will more fully appear in the accom Ypanying description of the illustrated ma I chine and will then be pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the 1111a chine; Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the upper portion of the mach ne, a portion of the covering bemg broken away to d sclose the moving parts; Fig. 3 is a section onthe line 3-3, Fig. 2, looking toward the rear of the machine; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44:, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow; and Fig. 5 ma rear elevatlon showing the controlling mechanism.

The head 2 of the machine is mounted" on a i suitable pedestal and is supported in an inc'lined position at an elevation to permit the shoe to be conveniently presented and guided in the hands of the operator and to permit the'operator to look down upon the work. I

Y The driving shaft 4 is mounted'in suitable hearings in the head and carries, in addition to the loose pulleys 5, a cooperating clutch member 6 and a cam block 8. The cam block has in one side a groove 10 to receive a roll on the arm of hell crank 12 pivoted at 15, and, connected at its upper end to a plunger 16 in which is mounted yieldingly, on a spring-18, a shaping tool 20. The tool andplunger move in a guide 22 formed on the machine head and having at its. front end a lip or projection 23 to cover the end portion of the tool and support the tool against upward pressure. This rigid guide for the tool has a lateral extension to engage the stock behind the tool and its work on gaging face is preferably lower than that of the tool, as shown in Fig. 3, so that the stock -is subjected to a more severe clamping between said rigid projection and the table, than between the tool and the table.

The machinehead is provided in its front face with a guidew'ay for a block 25 confined by gibs 26, see Fig. 4, and upheld by the spring 28 adjustable bymeans of a screw 29. The table 30 is attached by screws 32 to the front face of the'block 25, said table having a shelf-like top formed to have supporting engagement with'the lower face of the outwardlyprojecting edge portion of the sole, as shown in Fig. 2. The spring 28 balances the weight of the block 25 and its associated partsand maintains the table yieldingly upraised while permitting the stock to be readily fed between the table and the tool 20.

The block 25 is provided in its rear face with a guideway for the plunger 85 normally held seatedin the lower end of its guideway by a spring 36 contained in a pocket in said plunger and acting upwardly against the overhanging lip 38 of the block 25. The plunger has on its rear face a ratchet surface 40 adapted to be engaged by the pawl 42 which is pressed toward the ratchet bya; spring 44 and is guided toward and from the ratchet by a fixed pin 45. The pawl is mounted upon a pivot 48 at the upper end of the toggle member 50. The cooperatthe cam block 8.

ing toggle memberis pivoted to the lower portion of themachine head and said members are connected by a link 52 with the short arm of a .bell crank 54. The bell crank is fulcrumed upon a transverse rod 55 from which alsoextends a link'56 to the pivot pin 48. ,The rear arm of the bell crank carries a roll which extends into a cam groove 58 in By the mechanism above described, there is transmitted from the cam path 58 through the bell crank, a movement which straightens the toggle 50 and thereby tradle and clutch rod are raised.

is withdrawn from the path of the cam uplifts the pawl 42 causing it to slide over the pin 45 into engagement with the ratchet 40 for positively uplifting the plunger This movement of the plunger is transmitted to the block 25 and the table 30 through the spring 36 which is a suitably stiff one for insuring a firm clamping of the projecting portion of the sole and the out-turned flange of the upper between the table and the tool 20.

The two cam grooves 10 and 58 are so related that the table and tool are actuated successively. In the illustrated machine, the table is depressed for a relatively short portion of the cycle of operation of the machine to permit the shoe to be fed and then is uplifted to clamp the stock and while the stock is clamped, the tool 20 is given a sharp advance movement toward the side of the last to force the upper firmly into the angle between the sole and the last and against the side of the last. This movement of the tool is designed to tuck the upper closely into the crease and to form or mold the upper to the shape of the crease. The beveled end face of the tool permits it to be projected under an overhanging portion of the side of the last as, for example, at the shank of the shoe and to give to the upper in the crea so a form or contour corresponding closely to the edge contour of the last. It is desirable to arrange the machine to stop for the insertion and removal of the work at a point in its cycle when the table is readily depressed or, in other words, when the pawl 42 is out of engagement with its ratchet. For this purpose the treadlc rod 60, which is connected through the lever 62 and the vertical rod (54 to the wedge 65 by which the fast and loose pulleys are moved relatively into driving ongagement in opposition to the spring (36, is also connected to a brake applying mechanism. This connection includes a rock shaft 67 upon which the lever 62 is fast and an arm 68 fast to said rock shaft and carrying abrake 70 to engage frictionally with the periphery of the cam block 8. A spring 72 is interposed between a fixed portion of the machine head and an arm 7 4 also fast on the rock shaft 67 and said spring turns the rock shaft in the direction to set the brake whenever the treadle is free. Depression of the treadle reversely turns the rock shaft to move the brake at the same time that the wedge 65 is pulled down.

The cam shaft is provided with a. cam 80, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and in full lines in Fig. 5, and the clutch rod 64 carries a block in which is adiustably mounted a stem carrying a roll 82 in position to be engaged by the cam 80 when the This roll when" the treadle is down and when the treadle is released the roll is raised, together with the brake and the wedge 65, by the reaction of the spring 72 into contact with the cam which, as soon as the low; side of the cam comes under the roll, permitsthe L spring 72 to raise the wedge and the brake far enough to unclutch and stop the machine, In the use of the machine a shoe comprising a sole, usually fastenedto the last, and an upper in suitable temper is presented with the outwardly projecting portion of the sole and the flangeof the upper between the table and the tool 20,

treadle is depressed, the brake is withdrawn and the wedge 65 forces the clutch members into engagement to start the cam shaft, The rotation of the cam block 8 operates the pawl 42 to uplift the table and clamp the projecting portion of the sole and the marginal portion of the upperbetweenjthe table on one side and the tool and the head on the other side. In the further rotation of the earn the tool 20 is driven forwardly to tuck the upper into the angle betweenthe sole and the side of the last and shape the upper to the side of the last and to fiatten the flange of the upper in its outturned The tool cam 10' portion against the sole. may be formed to give aplurality of advances to the tool in each cycle of the machine. The cement with which the Work has been provided secures the flange and projecting portion of the sole together under the pressure of the tool and table and retains the upper in substantially the position to which it is formed by the tool. It is to be observed that the flange portion of upper is subjected not only to a clamping action between the tableand tool and the head, but also to arubbing action caused by the sliding of the tool over the flange.

It is also to be observedithat in this advance movement of the tool for forcing the upper into the angle and against the side of-the last, the upper, which is likely to be bridged from the side of the last to the tool, stretched or extended so that it is tightened over the last to a certain extent. When the rotation of the cam shaft has progressed to a point at which the pawl is released from its ratchet, the work will be fed between the table and the tool and thus successive portions of the shoe are presented to the operation of the machine. This feed movement may be no more than the width of the tool so that each portion of stock is subjected first to clamping and rubbing, and then to a moresevere clamping to set it. When a it is desiredt'o stop the machine, the release of the treadle will permit the spring72 to i raise the clutch wedge 65 and apply the brake at a time determined by the angular position of the low portionof the cam 80.

Having explained the natureof this invention and described a preferredcons'truction embodying the same, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States a 1.- A machine of the class described having,'in combination, a shoe forming tool shaped and arranged to force an upper into the anglebetween the side of a last and a pro ecting portionof the shoe sole, a" sup port for the shoe, and power driven mechanism vfor relatively reciprocating the tool and support to clamp the marginal portion of the upper and sole securely and then to move the tool inthe direction to tighten the upper over the last and tuck it into said angle, a

2". A machine of'the class described hav- :ing,-in combination, a shoe forming 'tool' shaped and, arranged to force an upper into the angle between the side of a last; and a projecting portion of the shoe sole, and actuating mechanism to which the tool is yieldingly connected for rapid reciprocation from and toward the side ofthe last in a line substantially parallel with the sole edge to form the upper against the last in said angle. i i

A machine of the class d escrlbed hav ing, in combination, a shoe forming tool shaped and arranged to force an upper into theangle between the side of a last and a pro ecting 'aortlon of the shoe sole, said tool having a lower face to engage an out-turned -flange of theupper and a beveled end face to enable it to reach into the angle under an overhanging portion of the side of the last,

additional clamping means for pressing the flange against the projecting portion of the shoe sole, andmeans for; reciprocating'said tool in a direction agreeing with the plane of said flange. a

j- 4. machineof the class described hav fing, inlcombination, ashoe forming tool shaped and arranged to forcean upper into the angle between the side of a last and a projecting portion of the shoe sole, sup port for the lower side of'the sole, and automatically operated means for relatively actuating said tool and support in directions substantially perpendicular to one an other to force the upper downwardly and inwardly in said angle.

' 5'. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a shoe forming tool shaped and arranged to force an upper into the angle; between the side of a last and a projecting portion of the shoe sole, a sup- "port for the lower side of the sole, and auto- 55 ing, in combination, a shoe forming tool matically operated means for actuating said support to apply pressure to the upper along thetop face of the sole and for actuating the tool toforce the upper against the side of the-last in said angle; r 1 j c 6. A machine of the elassdescribed having,-in combination, a. shoe. forming tool shaped'and arranged to force an upper into itiinto the said angle, substantially as de 20.

scribed.

7. Amachine of the class described having, in combination, a shoe forming tool shaped and arranged to force an upper into the 'anglebetween the side of a last and a for actuating the tool, a support for the lower side of thesole, means for yieldingly upholding said support, and means operating in time relation to the advance of the tool to clamp the sole and a sole-attaehing flange portion of the upper against the bottom face of-the tool.

' 4 8. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a shoe forming tool shaped'and arranged to force an upper into the angle between the side of a last and a projecting portion of the shoe sole, a support for the lower side of the sole, and actuating means for said parts to clamp together a sole-attaching fiangeportion of the upper and the sole and then rub the flange.

9. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a shoe forming tool shaped and arranged to force an upper into the angle between the side of a last and a projecting portion of the shoe sole, a support for the lower, side of the sole, and means for actuating said tool and support relatively to clamp the marginal portion of 'the'upper upon the sole and then to rub the upper transversely while it is so clamped.

1,0. A-machine of the class described, having in combination, a shoe forming tool shaped and arranged to force an upper into the angle between the side of a last and a projecting portion of the shoe sole, a support for the lower side of the sole, and actu-' atingmechanism for said parts to cause the marginal portion of the upper first to be clamped upon the sole and then the upper to be stretched between the clamped portion and the last to provide stock to tuck into said, angle between the last and the sole.

11. A'machine ofthe class described havprojecting portion of the shoe sole, means shaped and arranged to force an upper into the angle between the side of a last and a projecting portion of the shoe sole to form a sole-attaching flange, a support for the lower side or the sole, and automatically operated actuating mechanism for said parts to clamp the flange portion of the upper to the sole, and, while maintaining the clamping pressure to effect reciprocations of the tool to tuck the upper into said angle and secure it to the solo in said angle.

12. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a shoe forming tool shaped and arranged to force the marginal portion of an upper into the angle between the side of a last and a projecting portion of the shoe sole to form an out-turned sole- ;attaching flange, a support for the lower side of the sole, means for intermittently actuating the tool and support relatively to clamp the flange and sole, and means for actuating the tool to force the upper inwardly into said angle while the work is clamped, said machine having provision for clamping the work again with greater force after said actuation of the tool. a

13. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a shoe forming tool shaped and arranged to force an upper into the angle between the side of a last and a projecting portion of the shoe sole, and a yieldingly upheld support for the lower side of the sole, said support having a face substantially parallel with the face of the tool and located thereunder and an end face downwardly inclined to facilitate the introduction of the work.

14. A machine of the class described having, in combination, co'riperating members constructed and arranged to receive an outturned sole-attaching portion of an upper against the top face of a projecting portion of a sole, a forming device, and automatically operated actuating mechanism for causing said members to clamp the sole and upper together and then to actuate the forming device to rub the upper.

15. A machine of the class described having, in combination a stretching device, cooperating mcmbers to receive an out-turned sole attaching portion of an upper against the top face of a projecting portion of a sole, and automatically operated actuating mechanism for causing said members to clamp the sole and upper imm ovably together and then to advance the stretching device over the upper in the direction to stretch the upper over the last and tuck the upper into the angle between the sole and the side of the last.

16. A machine of the class described hav ing, in combination, a stretching device, cooperating members to receive an out-turned sole-attaching portion of an upper against the top face of a projecting portion of a holds the table, a stiif :sole, and automatically operated actuating 1 mechanism for causing said members 'to clamp the sole and upper together and then to actuate the stretching device to tuck the upper into the angle formedby the sole and the side of the last and hold the upper while it is secured. g 1 17 A machine of the class described having, in combination, a tool to tuck the upper into the angle between. the side of a last and a projecting edge portion of the sole, means for actuating the tool, a work table to press the shoe stock upwardly against the tool, and a guide for the tool which is recessed at its lower side and its edges and has an overhanging lip to resist upward displacement of the tool.

18. A machine of the class described, haw ing in combination, a tool to tuck the upper i into the angle between the side of a last and T a projecting edge portion of the sole, means 1 for actuating the tool, a work table to press 1 the shoe stock upwardly against the tool, a 2 spring pressed block which yieldingly upholds the table, a stiff spring, and apawl and ratchet mechanism actuated for intermittently lifting the work table through said 3 spring.

19. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a tool to tuck the upper into the angle betweenthe side of a last and a projecting edge portion of the sole, means for actuating the tool, a work table to press the shoe stock upwardly'against the tool, a spring pressed block which yieldingly upspring, a plunger having a. ratchet face, a pawl and actuating mechanism for the pawl including a toggle arranged to impart to the table through the spring an. upward pressure which is applied rapidly at first and then more slowly and powerfully. j

20. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a table to support the sole of a shoe, a tool to engage the shoe stock on the upper side of the sole, an abut ment adjacent the tool for also engaging the upper side of the work, means for actuating said parts relatively to clamp the work between them, and means for actuating the tool to rub a portion of the work which is so clamped.

j 21. A machine for shaping the marginal portion of a shoe to form attaching flange, comprising means for clamping and holding one portion of said marginal part, and means for rubbing an adjacent portion. v

22. A machine for shaping the marginal portion of a shoe to form an out-turned soleattaching flange, comprising means for simultaneously treating laterally adjacent portions of said marginal part by a clamping and rubbing pressure and by a more an out-turned solesevere clamping pressure.

23. A machine for sh aping the marginal portion of a shoe to formgan out-tur ed soleattaching flange, comprising means tor subjecting each portion 'of said margin successively to a clamping and rubbing pressure and then to a moreseve're clamping ressure.

'24:. A rnachi neof the class described new ing, in combination, the head 2,, the tool 20 guided in said head, the table 30 "opposed to said head and tool, means for actuating the table "to "clamp the work against the head and tool, and means tor .aetu'ating the too-1 to rub the portion of work engaged by it, substantially as described.

25. A machine ofthe class described hav ing, in combination, suitableoperatin mechanism, means receiving from saidmedhahi-sni a movement laterally toward the side of the last for forcing the upper into the angle be tween the side of the last and a projecting portion of the sole, and means for thereafter subjecting the tucke'd-inupper and the sub jacent portion of ti e sole to clamping pies sure. i

i 26. A machine of the class described hav- 1 ing, in combination, a'device for clamping an outturned flange of an upper against a portion of a sole projecting laterally beyond the edge of a last, a shoe forming tool shaped to force the upper intothe-angle between the side of the last and the projecting-portion of the shoe sole, andactuating mechanism to reciprocate the tool across the flange of the upper in a direction agreeing with the face of the soleto form the upper against the last in said angle. i

27 A machine of the class described having, in combination, a device for clamping an outturncd flange of an upper against a portion of a sole projecting laterally be yond the edge of a last, a tool shaped and arranged to force the upper into the angle between the side of the last and the project ingportion of the sole, and automatically operated means for actuating the tool rela tively to said clamping device over the flanged upper while pressing the upper against the sole to conform it to said angle;

28. A machine of theclass described ha-v ing, in combination, a shoe forming tool shaped and arranged to force an upper into projecting portion of the shoe sole, a sup-" port for the lower side of the sole, means for actuating the tool, and means operating in time relation to the advance of the tool to clamp the sole and a sole-attaching flange portion of the upper of the tool.

29. A machine for forming an outturned sole-attaching flange on an upper, comprising a support for the marginal portion of the sole, a tool to engage the shoe stock on the upper side of the sole, and automatically operated mechanism for relatively actuating against the bottom face the angle between the side of a last anda said parts to clamp the upper to the sole and v30. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a table to receive the tread face of a sole, a cooperating clamping member between which and the table a la terally projecting marginal portion of the sole and a flange of an upper may be clamped, means for relatively actuating said table and clamping member to grip the upper flange 1 to the top face of the sole, and a forming tool movable withinthe clamping member to force the upper. which is between the side of the last and the end of the clamping member into the angle formed by the projecting portion of the sole and the side of the last whereby the upper is tightened over the last and formed to the side face of the last.

31. A machine of-the class described having, in combination, means for gripping the margin of an upperand the edge portion of a sole and holding the upper from slipping, and additional means operating laterally toward the side of thelast for tucking the upper into the angle between the side of the last and the sole while'the upper is. so held.

32. A machine ofthe class described having,. in combination, means for gripping the margin ofan upper and the edge portion of a sole and holding the upper from slipping, additional means for tucking the upper into the angle between the side of the last and the sole while .the upper is so held, and actuating mechanism for causing the tucking means to rub and-crease the upper for the purpose specified.

33. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a member shaped and arranged to clamp an upper against the top face of the projecting portion of a sole, a forming tool movable within said member in a plane approximately parallel with the faceof the sole, and mechanism foractuating said forming tool.

34:. A machine of the'class described having, in combination, the carrier member 22, 23, shaped and arranged to clamp an upper against the top face of the projecting portion of the sole, the forming tool 20 arranged in a recess in the lower face of said member, and means for reciprocating the forming tool Within said member for shaping the upper.

35. A machine of the class described com prising means for shaping the flange of a shoe including means for clamping the flange in the direction of its thickness and additionally a rubbing tool arranged to reciprocate over the clamped portion of stock transversely of the width of the flange.

36. A machine for lasting stitch down shoes having, in combination, means for pressing the flange of an upper against the cement coated face of the projecting margin of the sole, and means for tucking the upper into the angle between the sole and the last and rubbing the flange to shape it and make it adhere to said cement coated face.

37. In a machine of the class described the combination with a member adapted to engage the top face of the )rojecting edge portion of a shoe and means for driving said member to rub the said face, of a cooperating member for supporting the opposite face, and means for actuating the latter member intermittently to unclamp the work for permitting it to be fed.

88. In a machine of the class described, the con'lbination with means for supporting on one of its sides an edge portion of a shoe which projects beyond the upper at the side of the shoe, and means for engaging said projecting edge portion of the shoe on its opposite side, of means for actuating one of said engaging means to shape the work by rubbing pressure, and automatically operating mechanism for intermittently moving in a direction at right angles to the rubbing movement the other engaging means to permit the shoe to be fed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ANDREW EIPPLER.

Witnesses:

CHARLES E. GRUsH, ART UR L. RUssnLL.

Copies of'this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Iatents,

' Washington, D. C. 

